Cluster lamp-socket.



GKET.

Patented May 24, 1910.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY unrrnn srai psgga rnn r OFFICE;

JOHN H. DALE, OF NEW YoRK, N. Y.

CLUSTER LAMP-SOCKET.

Application filed May 6, 1908. Serial' No. 431,144.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN H. DALE, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of New York, in the county of New York and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ClusterLamp-Sockets, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription. My invention relates to cluster lamp sockets, particularlyof that type having a sub- I stantially hemispherical casing from whichthe lamps project symmetrically outward at a slight downwardinclination. The usual construction for this purpose embodies threadedshells on the outside of which. are received insulating bushings whichare applied and removed from the exterior of the casing, being receivedin socket holes to support said threaded shells in place. Thesedetachable bushings are objectionable from the standpoint of insuranceregulations, because the'y are capable of being readily'removed by anyone, thereby rendering a ground possible between the threaded shells andthe surrounding casing. The arrangement is particularly objectionablebecause such removal of these bushings can be made without interferingwith the operative function of the device,-so that there is no necessityput upon their replacement. rts the bushings are easily broken, lost orcarried away, it is likely that they will gradually disappear in the useof thereceptacle with out any particular notice being taken of the fact.By the present invention I wholly overcomethis difficulty, and provide aform of cluster socket in which the maximum possible protection isobtained against grounds and short circuits. For this purpose I make useof what is apractically separate complete socket or receptacle for eachindividual lamp, all of which are assembled within an ordinary casing inany desired relation. I further provide convenient means for fasteningthese separate sockets or receptacles within the cluster, andestablishing the proper electrical connections between the same. Eachindividual socket or receptacle is so constructed that there is acontinuous imperforate insulating barrier between all parts of oppositepolarity. For this purpose each individual socket preferably includes aporcelain cup with an enlarged head or bead at its open end andreceiving the threaded shell. The center contact is surrounded by abutton which eifectually Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 1910.

j separates it from the thr'eaded'shell atthe base of the socket. .Ifurther aim toimpart a particularly ornamental finish to the; socketswhen viewed from the exterior of the casing.

Vith these and other-objects in view my invention consists in thefeatures of construction and combination as hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top or plan View of a cluster socketembodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailsectional view of one of the sockets; Fig. 3 is a side view of the same;and Fig. 4c is a detail View looking toward the inside or end face ofone of the sockets.- This view is on the same scale as that of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings inwhich like parts are designated by the samereference sign, 1 indicates a casing conveniently of spun sheet metal,and which has peripheral openings 2, for the various lamp sockets.

3 indicate the individual sockets, each of which is substantiallycomplete in itself,

stud terminal. The various sockets are re ceived in the holes 2 of thecasing 1. Each socket has an enlarged head 4, which abuts against theouter surface of the casing 1 around the holes 2 through which thesocket enters. Onits inner cylindrical surface 5, the socket hasintegral lugs 6, which enter the casing through notches 7, at pointsaround the holes 2 correspondingto the location of said lugs.

8 designates a sleeve preferably of sheet This sleeve is slotted or cutaway-'iin. an angular path 10 (see'Fig. 3). The essential that itextends through the rim 9 at 11, so as to receive a lug .6, and iscapable of moving over said lug until thelatter engages an'inclined edge12 of the slot 10, which acts as a bayonet joint fastening. It isevident that the socket can be securely fastened u on the casing l byslipping it through a ho e 2 thereof and tightening the sleeve 8 uponthis bayonet joint.

indivi .nal sockets 3 may vary considerably without departing from thespirit of my invention. I prefer the construction shown in Fig; 2 inwhich the threaded shell 15 is 16 of L-shaped transverse section, whichreincluding a threaded shell and a central The articular interiorconstruction of the clamped within the cup 5 by a threaded ring metaland having a flaring rim 9 atone end.

characteristic of this cut-away portion isceives the terminal clip 17,acting as a nut. I form the center contact of a screw 18, which isseparated from the ring 16 and the threaded shell by a porcelain orsimilar button 19 of T-shaped transverse section.

20 designates a terminal clip threaded to receive the screw 18 andseparated from the ring 16 by a porcelain or insulating Washer 21. Thisconstruction organizes all the parts very compactly and stronglytogether, and furthermore secures a very adequate insulation between thethreaded shell and the center contact, including all the allied partswhich are of opposite polarity.

The various sockets 3 are assembled within the casing 1 in the mannershown in Fig. 1, and I provide means whereby each is positioned in acertain definite angular relation within its appropriate hole 2. Forthis purpose I provide small lugs 22, upon the interior annular face ofthe head 4, and

which engage the notches 7 of the casing 1. The terminal clips 17 and 20have outwardly extending ears 2% and 25 respectively, and whichpreferably project diametrically opposite one another in a diameterwhich is vertical of the casin 1 when the sockets 3 are properly engagetherein as above described. In this relation the ends of said terminalclips are capable oi being bent slightly to make convenient connectionswith any desired parts. In Figs. 1 and 3 I have illustrated theseterminal clips connected to metallic rings 26 and 27, thereby organizingthe sockets into a complete unitary multiple cluster. The circuit wiresmay be soldered or otherwise applied to the rings 26 and 27. It isevident that the sockets may be connected in series or in separatecircuits if desired.

It will be observed that the bent ortions of the terminal clips 24 and25 are efiected on axes which extend in exactly parallel directions, andthese directions are both in planes perpendicular or normal to the axisof the casing 1. lln other words, the lines on which the lugs 24: and 25are bent are in all cases in or parallel to the planes of the rings 26and 27, which connectthe various lugs. This is a very important point inthe construction because it enables the clips to be deflected more orless upward or downward until they are capable of finally coming exactlyinto the plane of said rings 26 and 27. This result cannot be attainedunless the lugs are bent on lines which are in the planes of said rings,that is, perpendicular or normal to the axis of the casing 1.

Vhat I claim, is

l. A socket comprising an insulating cup, a lamp receiving shellreceived therein, a metal ring of L-shaped transverse section engagingsaid shell a terminal clip threaded on said ring, a screw constituting acenter contact, a terminal clip threaded on said screw, an insulatingwasher separating said terminal clips, and an insulating button ofT-shaped transverse section separating said screw from said ring.

2. In a cluster socket, a casing having holes, individual socketsreceived therein ea ch formed with a flange outside the casing and a luginside the casing, a sheet metal sleeve received on each socketandhaving an inclined slot engagement with said lug, a pair of metallicrings concentric within said casing, clips bent upward from one of saidrings, center contact screws within said sockets threaded into saidclips, insulating bushings surrounding said screws, metallic ringssurrounding said bushings, threaded shells within said sockets andengaging said last mentioned rings, and metallic clips connected to saidlast mentioned rings and joined to the other concentric ring within thecasing.

3. A. socket comprising an insulating cup, a. lamp receiving shellreceived therein, a metal ring of L-shaped transverse section engagingsaid shell, a terminal clip threaded on said ring, a screw constitutinga center contact, an insulating Washer separating said terminal clips,an insulating button of T-shaped transverse section separating saidscrew from said ring, and a pair of rin s concentric with one anotherrespective y joined to said clips.

4. A socket comprising an insulatin cup with a flange, a sleeve alsohaving a ange and abayonet joint connection on said cup, a lampreceiving shell received in saidcup, a metal ring of L-shaped transversesection engaging said shell, a terminal clip threaded on said ring, ascrew constituting a center contact, a terminal clip threaded on saidscrew, an insulating washer separating said terminal clips, and aninsulating button of T-shaped transverse section separating said screwfrom said ring. I

In witness whereof, I subscribe m signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

, JOHN H. DALE. Witnesses WALDo M. CHAPIN, JAM S D. AN'roNIo.

